Comparison of Farming Techniques Actually Implemented and Their Rationality in Organic and Conventional Olive Groves in Andalusia, Spain

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper compares the degree of actual implementation of different farming techniques used by organic and conventional olive growers in Andalusia (a region in the south of Spain) as a means to achieve a twofold objective. On the one hand, the aim is to assess if the analysed farming techniques are significantly different between both types of olive growers and whether their implementation is widespread. On the other hand, it is necessary to establish whether the aforesaid techniques can be considered to be the best possible options from an environmental, economic and/or agronomic point of view. The analysis has taken into account many relevant techniques in olive growing so that planting, soil management, irrigation, fertilization, phytosanitation, harvesting, transport and pruning have all been studied. Results show how in organic farming, in almost all the cases, more appropriate techniques from an environmental, economic and/or agronomic perspective are being used than in conventional farming. However, there is still a long way ahead until the optimal techniques are the trend in both types of production systems. In this sense organic agriculture must be ahead of conventional and other alternative forms of agriculture to prove and increase its superior value to society. Organic farming regulations should better define obligatory, recommended and forbidden organic practices, for each crop cultivated and in as local a context as possible, and so overcome the present lack of regulation of some technical aspects, prevent the diffusion of undesired agricultural practices and encourage implementation of sustainable and rational ones.